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HomeNewsLocal governmentPort Authority Implementing New Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19 Spread

Port Authority Implementing New Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19 Spread

A woman wearing a mask to protect herself from COVID-19. (Shutterstock)

The Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) is implementing new safety procedures and reinforcing temperature screenings at its airports to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The new measures were implemented today at the Cyril E. King Airport (CEKA) on St. Thomas and will begin this week at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) on St. Croix.  The procedures are as follows:

Temperature screenings are mandatory for all travelers arriving in the USVI via U.S. domestic flights or from foreign locations.  Temperature checks at the airports will be performed by the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING) at checkpoints on the airport operations access ramp before travelers are allowed entry into the terminal.  Thermal temperature scanning machines are also installed at both airport terminals as a secondary temperature check mechanism.

A Health Declaration Form must be completed by all arriving travelers at both CEKA and HERA.  The forms should be completed by travelers prior to exiting the baggage claim areas and dropped off at the VING stations at the exit doors.  The completed forms will be submitted to the V.I. Department of Health.

Access to the baggage claim areas at the CEKA and HERA terminals is restricted to travelers only.  Tour operators, taxi and private car drivers picking up travelers at the airport are included in this restriction.  All travelers must be picked up curbside.  Persons returning keys to the rental car agencies inside the terminal must first be cleared by the VING soldiers who will be stationed at the entrance of the baggage claim areas.

Reminder: Masks must always be worn when inside the terminals.  Masks should be worn properly, covering the mouth and nose.

VIPA Executive Director Carlton Dowe thanks the public for adhering to the safety precautions to help keep VIPA’s employees, tenants, travelers and the community healthy and safe during this pandemic.

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